Chapter IX: Book XVI: Lohengrin (1)

Now Anfortas and his Templars they suffered sore grief and
pain,
And their true love in bondage held him, since he prayed them
for death in vain;
And in sooth death had been his portion, save they wrought
that the Grail he saw--
From the might of Its mystic virtue fresh life must he ever
draw.

Then he spake to the knights of Monsalväsch, 'Of a sooth,
were ye true of heart, 5
Ye had pitied ere this my sorrow, how long shall pain be my
part?
If reward ye would have as deserving, then God give ye
payment fair,
For ever was _I_ your servant since the days that I harness
bare.
Atonement in full have I made here for aught I have done of
wrong
To ye, e'en tho' none had known it, and my penance endureth
long! 10
If ye would not be held unfaithful, by the helmet and shield
I bore,
And the bond of our common knighthood, release me from
bondage sore!
For this of a truth must ye grant me, if ye do not the truth
disdain,
I bare _both_ as a knight undaunted, and fame thro' my deeds
did gain.
For hill and vale have I ridden, and many a joust have run, 15
And with sword-play good from my foemen much hatred methinks,
I won.
Yet with ye doth that count for little! Bereft of all joy am
I;
Yet, cometh the Day of Judgment, my voice would I lift on
high,
And in God's sight, I, one man only, at the last will accuse
ye all,
If freedom ye fail to give me, and to Hell shall ye surely
fall! 20
For in sooth ye should mourn my sorrow--From the first have
ye seen the thing,
And ye know how it came upon me--Now I profit ye not as king,
And all too soon will ye think so, when thro' me ye have lost
your soul--
Alas! why thus ill-entreat me? Ere this had I been made
whole!'

And the knights from his grief had freed him, save they hope
from the word must draw 25
That Trevrezent spake of aforetime, and that writ on the
Grail he saw.
And once more would they wait his coming whose joy there had
waxen weak,
And the hour that should bring them healing from the question
his lips should speak.

Then the king of a wile bethought him, and fast would he
close his eyes,
And four days long so he held them, when the knights, in
their 'customedwise, 30
Before the Grail would bear him, if he said them or yea, or
nay;
But his weakness so wrought upon him, as before the shrine he
lay,
That his eyelids he needs must open, and against his will
must live,
For the Grail held death far from him and fresh life must Its
vision give.

And so was it with Anfortas till the day when Parzival 35
And Feirefis his brother, rode swift to Monsalväsch' hall;
And the time was near when the planet, its course in high
heaven run,
Mars or Jupiter, glowing wrathful, its station had well-nigh
won,
And the spot whence it took its journey--Ah! then was an evil
day
That wrought ill to the wound of Anfortas, and the torment
would have its way; 40
And maiden and knight must hearken as the palace rang with
his cries,
And the help that no man might give him he besought with
despairing eyes,
For past all aid was he wounded, and his knights could but
share his grief--
Yet the tale saith he drew ever nearer who should bring him
alone relief.

Then oft as the bitter anguish in its bondage the hero held, 45
The taint of the wound to banish, the hall was with sweetness
filled,
For before him they spread on the carpet Terebinth, and
odours fair
Of aromatic spices and sweet woods filled the scented air.
Teriak and precious Ambra, and methinks that their smell was
sweet--
Cardamom, Jeroffel, Muscat, lay broken beneath the feet 50
Where'er one set foot on the carpet; and e'en as each
footstep fell
Their perfume arose, and their freshness, of the venom
o'ercame the smell.
And his fire was of Lignum aloe, as methinks ye have heard
afore--
Of the horny skin of the viper had they fashioned the pillars
four
That stood 'neath his couch--'Gainst the venom must his
knights on the cushions strew 55
Powder of roots so precious, whose healing scent they knew.
Well stuffed, but unsewed, was the covering against which the
monarch leant,
And the silk and the mattress 'neath it were of Palmât of
Nouriente.
And the couch itself was yet richer, with many a precious
stone
Was it decked, nor were others found there save the rarest of
jewels alone; 60
And by Salamanders woven were the cords which the bed did
bind,
Yea even the fastening 'neath it--Yet no joy might Anfortas
find.
The couch on all sides was costly, (no man shall contend I
ween
That he in the days of his lifetime a richer shall e'er have
seen,)
'Twas precious alone from the virtue of the jewels and their
magic power, 65
Would ye learn their names, then hearken, for we know them
unto this hour.

Carbuncle and Balas ruby, Silenite, and Chalcedony,
Gagatromeus, Onyx, Coral, and Bestion, fair to see.
And there too were Pearl and Opal, Ceraunius and Epistites,
Jerachites, Heliotropia, Panterus, Agate, and Emathites. 70
Antrodragma, Praseme, and Saddae, Dionisia and Celidon,
Sardonyx and red Cornelian, Jasper and Calcofon.
Echites, Iris, Gagates, and Lyncurium, with many more,
Asbestos and Cecolithus, and Jacinth, that rich couch bore.
Galactida, Orites, Enydrus, and Emerald, glowing green, 75
Absist and Alabanda, and Chrysolect had ye seen.
Hiennia, Sapphire, Pyrites, and beside them, here and there,
Turquoise, and Lipparèa, Chrysolite, and Ruby fair--
Paleisen, Sardius, Diamond, Chrysoprasis, and Malachite,
Diadoch, Peanite, and Medus with Beryl and Topaze bright. 80

And many they taught high courage, and others such virtue
knew
That healing skill they taught men, and fresh life from their
power they drew.
And many their strength won from them, if aright they might
use their art,
And therewith would they tend Anfortas whom they loved with a
faithful heart--
And great grief had he brought his people, yet joy soon his
lot shall be-- 85
To Terre de Salväsch from Ioflanz he rideth to speak him
free,
Parzival, with the maid and his brother, nor in truth did I
ever hear
The distance these three had journeyed ere they drew to the
Burg anear;
But conflict had been their portion had Kondrie not been
their guide,
But afar from all strife did she hold them, and in peace on
their way they ride. 90

So came they at length to an outpost--Then swiftly towards
them sped
Many Templars well armed and mounted, and right soon they the
truth had read,
And they knew by the guide that succour at last to their
walls should draw,
And the Captain he spake out gladly as the Turtle-doves he
saw
Gleam fair on Kondrie's vesture, 'Now an end hath it found,
our grief, 95
With the sign of the Grail he cometh who shall bring to our
king relief,
The knight we have looked and have longed for since the dawn
of our sorrow's day--
Stand ye still, for great gladness cometh, and our mourning
is past away!'

Feirefis Angevin would urge him, his brother, to joust to
ride,
But Kondrie, she grasped his bridle, lest conflict should
there betide, 100
And the maiden, true but unlovely, spake thus unto Parzival,
'Shield and banner, thou sure shouldst know them, of the
Grail are these heroes all,
And ready to do thee service.' Then out spake the heathen
bold,
'If so it shall be, from battle mine hand may I well
withhold.'

Then Parzival prayed that Kondrie would ride forward, the
knights to meet, 105
And she rode, and she spake of the gladness that neared them
with flying feet.
And, one and all, the Templars sprang straightway unto the
ground,
And from off their head the helmet in the self-same hour
unbound,
And Parzival they greeted, and they were in his greeting
blest,
And Feirefis they welcomed as befitted a noble guest. 110
And then with the twain to Monsalväsch the Templars they took
their way;
Though they wept, yet methinks that gladness was the fount of
their tears that day.

And a countless folk they found there, many grey-haired
knights and old,
And pages of noble bearing, and of servants, a host untold.
And sad were the folk and mournful, whom their coming might
well rejoice, 115
And Parzival and his brother they welcomed with friendly
voice,
And kindly did they receive them, without, in the palace
court,
At the foot of the noble stairway, and the knights to the
hall they brought.

And, e'en as was there the custom, a hundred carpets round,
Each one with a couch upon it, were spread there upon the
ground; 120
And each couch bare a velvet covering, and methinks, if the
twain had wit,
The while that the squires disarmed them 'twould pleasure
them there to sit.
And a chamberlain came towards them, and he brought to them
vesture fair,
And each should be clad as the other, and many a knight sat
there.
And they bare many precious vessels of gold, (none I ween was
glass,) 125
And the twain they drank, and upstood them to get them to
Anfortas.

And this have ye heard of aforetime, how he lay, for he
scarce might sit,
And the couch and its goodly decking, forsooth have ye read
of it.
And the twain did Anfortas welcome with gladness, and yet
with grief,
And he spake, 'O'er-long have I waited tho' I win from thine
hand relief; 130
But a while ago didst thou leave me in such wise, art thou
true of heart,
And thinkest to aid my sorrow, thou must have in repentance
part.
If e'er men have praised thy valour, then be thou to my woe a
friend,
And pray of these knights and maidens that death may my
torment end;
If _Parzival_ men shall call thee, then forbid me the Grail
to see 135
Seven nights and eight days, and I wot well my wailing shall
silenced be!
Nor further I dare to warn thee--Well for thee if thou help
canst bring!
A stranger shall be thy comrade, and I think it an evil thing
That thus he doth stand before me, say wherefore no thought
dost take
For his comfort, and bid him seat him?' Then Parzival,
weeping, spake: 140

'Now say where the Grail It lieth? If God's mercy He think to
show,
And it be o'er His wrath the victor, this folk, they shall
surely know!'
Then three times on his knee he bowed him in the Name of the
Trinity,
And three times he prayed that the sorrow of Anfortas should
ended be,
Then he stood upright, and he turned him to the monarch, and
thus he spake: 145
'_What aileth thee here, mine uncle?_' He who Lazarus from
death did wake,
And by the mouth of His saint, Sylvester, a dead beast to
life did bring,
Wrought healing and strength on Anfortas--and all men beheld
the king,
And what French folk shall know as '_Florie_' it shone on his
face so fair,
And Parzival's manly beauty was but as the empty air! 150
Yea, Vergulacht, Askalon's monarch, and Absalom, David's son,
And all who the dower of beauty as their birthright shall
e'er have won--
E'en Gamuret, as men saw him draw near unto Kanvoleis,
So wondrous fair to look on--they were naught unto all men's
eyes
When matched with the radiant beauty that forth from his
bitter woe 155
He bare, the King Anfortas--such skill God doth surely know!

No choice was there for the Templars since the writing upon
the Grail
Had named unto them their ruler, and Parzival did they hail
Their king and their lord henceforward; and I ween ye in vain
would seek
Would ye find two men as wealthy, if of riches I here may
speak, 160
As Parzival and his brother, Feirefis Angevin--
And many a proffered service the host and his guest did win.

I know not how many stages queen Kondwiramur had made
On her journey towards Monsalväsch, nor, joyful, her steps
delayed,
For already the truth had been told her, and a messenger
tidings bare, 165
And she knew that her grief was ended and her gladness had
blossomed fair.
And led by her uncle, Kiot, and by many a hero bold,
Had she come unto Terre de Salväsch and the wood where they
fought of old;
Where in joust Segramor had fallen, and her lord did her
likeness know
In the threefold blood-drops mystic, on the white of the
drifted snow. 170
And there should Parzival seek her, and tho' toilsome and
rough the way
Yet never a gladder journey had he ridden than he rode that
day!

Then a Templar tidings brought him, 'E'en as doth her rank
beseem
Full many a knight so courteous rideth hither beside the
queen.'
Then Parzival bethought him, with the knights of the Holy
Grail 175
To Trevrezent did he ride first, and he told him the wondrous
tale;
From his heart was the hermit joyful that it thus with
Anfortas stood,
Nor death was his lot, but the question brought rest to the
hero good.
And he quoth, 'Yea, God's power is mighty--Who doth at His
Council sit?
Who hath known of His strength the limit? What Angel hath
fathomed it? 180
God is Man, and the Word of His Father; God is Father at once
and Son,
And I wot thro' His Spirit's working may succour and aid be
won!'

Then Trevrezent quoth to his nephew, 'Greater marvel I ne'er
may see
Than that thou by thy wrath hast won blessing, and th'
Eternal Trinity
Hath given thee thy desiring! Yet aforetime in sooth I lied, 185
For I thought from the Grail to bring thee, and the truth I
from thee would hide.
Do thou for my sin give me pardon, henceforth I thy hand
obey,
O my king, and son of my sister!--Methinks that I once did
say
That the spirits cast forth from Heaven thereafter the Grail
did tend
By God's will, and besought His favour, till their penance at
last did end. 190
But God to Himself is faithful, and ne'er doth He changing
know,
Nor to them whom I named as forgiven did He ever forgiveness
show.
For they who refuse His service, He Himself will, I ween,
refuse,
And I wot they are lost for ever, and that fate they
themselves did choose.
And I mourned for thy fruitless labour, for ne'er did the
story stand 195
That the Grail might by man be conquered, and I fain had
withheld thine hand;
But with _thee_ hath the chance been other, and thy prize
shall the highest be,
But since God's Hand doth give It to thee, turn thine heart
to humility.'

Quoth Parzival to his uncle, 'I would see her I ne'er might
see
For well-nigh five years--When together we dwelt she was dear
to me, 200
And no whit less dear shall she now be! Yet thy counsel I
fain would hear
So long as death fail to part us, thou didst help me in need
so drear!
Now I ride to my wife, since she cometh to meet me upon my
way,
By Plimizöl's banks doth she wait me, and leave I from thee
would pray.'

And the good man bade 'God speed him,' and he rode thro' the
dusky night, 205
And his men knew the woodland pathways--In the early morning
light
He found that which brought him gladness; full many a tent
stood fair,
From out the kingdom of Brobarz many banners were planted
there,
With many a shield beneath them--there lay princes from out
his land,
And Parzival fain would ask them where the tent of the queen
might stand? 210
If her camp lay apart from the others? Then they showed him
where she should be,
And a goodly ring around her of tents did the hero see.
And Duke Kiot of Katelangen, he had risen ere dawn of day,
And he looked on the band of riders who came by the woodland
way.

And tho' grey was the light of the morning, yet, as the host
nearer drew, 215
Kiot saw the Dove on their armour, and the arms of the Grail
he knew;
And the old man sighed as he thought him of Schoysiané, his
lovely bride,
How he won her in bliss at Monsalväsch, and how she untimely
died.
Towards Parzival he stepped him, and he bade him a greeting
fair;
By a page he bade the queen's Marshal a lodging meet prepare 220
For the knights who had there drawn bridle--in sooth 'twas a
gallant band--
Then to the queen's dressing-chamber he led Parzival by the
hand,
('Twas a small tent made of buckram,) and there, in the
waxing light,
His harness they take from off him ere he pass to his lady's
sight.

And the queen she knew naught of his coming--her twin sons
beside her lay, 225
Lohengrin and Kardeiss; and their father, methinks he was
glad that day!
There he found them slumbering sweetly, in a tent both high
and wide,
And many a lovely lady lay sleeping on either side.
Then Kiot, he drew the covering from the queen, and he bade
her wake,
And look, and laugh, and be joyful, and her love to her arms
to take; 230
And she looked up and saw her husband; and naught but her
smock she bare,
The covering she wrapt around her, and sprang swift on the
carpet fair,
Kondwiramur, the lovely lady--and Parzival held her tight,
And they say that they kissed each other, the queen and her
faithful knight.
'Thou joy of my heart! Good Fortune hath sent thee again to
me,' 235
She quoth, and she bade him welcome, 'Now in sooth I should
wrathful be,
Yet have I no heart for anger! Ah! blest be the dawn and the
day
That this dear embrace hath brought me, which all sorrow must
drive away.
For now at last have I found thee, whom my heart hath desired
so long,
And grief in my heart is vanquished, and sighing is turned to
song.' 240

And now from their sleep they wakened, both Lohengrin and
Kardeiss,
Naked they lay on their pillows, and fair in their father's
eyes,
And, joyful, Parzival kissed them whom he never had seen
before--
Then at Kiot's courteous bidding the babes from the tent they
bore,
And Kiot, he bade the maidens to get them from out the tent, 245
And they greeted their lord, long absent, ere yet on their
way they went.
Then he bade the queen care for her husband, and the maidens
from thence he led,
And the curtains they drew together, for as yet was the night
scarce sped.

Now if blood and snow had robbed him of his senses and wit of
yore,
(In this self-same spot its message the snow to his true
heart bore,) 250
For such sorrow she well repaid him, Kondwiramur, his wife--
Nor elsewhere had he sought love's solace in payment for
love's fierce strife,
Tho' many their love had proffered--I ween that in bliss he
lay,
And converse sweet, till morning drew nigh to the middle day.

And the army, they rode together, on the Templars had they
gazed, 255
And their shields in jousts were piercèd, and with many a
sword-blow grazed;
And each knight he wore a surcoat of silk or of velvet rare,
And their feet were shod with iron, nor harness beside they
bare.

Nor longer they cared to slumber--Then the queen alike and
king
Arose, and e'en as they bade him, a priest the Mass would
sing; 260
And closely they thronged together, that army, brave and
good,
Who in their queen's day of peril her shield 'gainst Klamidé
stood.
Then, the benediction given, his men greeted Parzival,
Many gallant knights and worthy, their true words from true
lips must fall.

From the tent they take the hangings, and the king spake,
'Say which is he, 265
Of my boys, who henceforward ruler of your folk and your land
shall be?'
And further he spake to the princes, 'Both Waleis and
Norgal's land,
And their towns, Kingrivals and Kanvoleis, by his birthright
shall serve his hand,
With Béalzenan and Anjou, should he grow unto man's estate;
And thither shall ye fare with him, and shall there on his
bidding wait. 270
Gamuret was he called, my father, and he left them to me, his
heir,
But I, by God's grace, have won me an heritage yet more fair!
Since the Grail shall be mine, I bid ye your fealty to swear
anew
To my child, ere this hour be ended, if your hearts shall to
me be true!'
And of right goodwill they did this--Ye saw many proud
banners wave, 275
And two little hands the tenure of many a wide land gave.
And there did they crown Kardeiss king; and, when many a year
had flown,
Kanvoleis, and Gamuret's kingdom they needs must his lordship
own--
And then by Plimizöl's water did they measure a circle wide
That there a feast might be holden ere again on their way
they ride. 280
Nor long at the board they tarried; no longer the host might
stay,
The tents were struck, with their child-king they wended
their homeward way.

And many a maid and vassal must bid to their queen Farewell
In such wise that they made loud mourning, and many a
teardrop fell.
And Lohengrin and his mother did the Templars take in their
care, 285
And with them to the Burg of Monsalväsch again on their
journey fare.
Quoth Parzival, 'Once in this woodland an hermitage did I
see,
And thro' it a rippling brooklet flowed swift on its way so
free;
If ye know where it stands ye shall show me.' His comrades
swift answer gave,
They knew one; 'There dwells a maiden, and she weeps o'er her
true love's grave; 290
A shrine of all goodness is she--Our road it doth lead that
way,
And her heart is ne'er free from sorrow.' 'That maid will we
see to-day,'
Quoth Parzival, and the others, as he willed, so they thought
it good,
And onward they spurred their chargers, and rode thro' the
lonely wood.

And they found, in the dusk of the evening, on her knees
Siguné dead, 295
And the queen wept for bitter sorrow--Then they brake thro'
unto the maid;
Parzival, for the sake of his cousin, bade them raise of the
tomb the stone,
There, embalmed lay Schionatulander, nor long should he lie
alone,
For beside him they laid the maiden, who in life to him true
love gave
In such wise as beseemed a maiden, and they closed o'er the
twain the grave. 300
And she wept for her uncle's daughter, the queen, with a
faithful heart;
Schoysiané, the dead maid's mother, had shown her a mother's
part,
And had cared for her in her childhood, and therefore she
sorrow knew:
And Parzival's aunt, too, was she, if the tale Kiot read be
true.

Kiot knew not the death of his daughter, he was guardian to
King Kardeiss-- 305
(Nor my tale like the bow shall be bended, but straight as an
arrow flies,)
They delayed not upon their journey, to Monsalväsch they came
by night,
And the hours Feirefis must wait them sped swift in their
joyful flight.
And they lighted many a taper, 'twas as flamed all the
woodland wide,
And a Templar of Patrigalt, armèd, by the queen's bridle rein
did ride; 310
And broad and wide was the courtyard, and many a host stood
there,
And they welcomed the queen, and a greeting to their lord and
his son they bare;
And they bore Lohengrin to his uncle, Feirefis, who was black
and white,
And the babe turned aside nor would kiss him--as children oft
do from fright!

But gaily he laughed, the heathen--Then they gat them from
out the court, 315
When first the queen had dismounted, who joy with her coming
brought--
And they led the guests so noble, where, with many a lady
fair,
Both Feirefis and Anfortas awaited them on the stair.
Répanse de Schoie, and from Greenland, Garschiloie, the fair
of face,
Florie of Lünel, the bright-eyed, rich were they in maiden
grace. 320
There she stood, than a reed more graceful, to whom beauty
nor truth should fail,
The daughter of Reil's lord, Jernis, as Anflisé the maid they
hail;
And of Tenabroc, maid Clarischanz, sweet was she, and bright
to see,
And so slender her shape, I think me, an ant's scarce might
slighter be.

Feirefis stepped toward his hostess, and he kissed her e'en
as she bade, 325
And a kiss did she give Anfortas, for she joyed that his woe
was stayed.
Feirefis by the hand must lead her where her husband's aunt
she found,
Répanse de Schoie, and she kissed her, and the maidens who
stood around,
And her lips that were red aforetime thro' kissing grew yet
more red,
(And sorely I ween doth it grieve me, that this labour, I, in
her stead, 330
Might not here have taken on me, for weary in sooth was she;)
Then her maids by the hand they take her, and they lead her
in courteously.

And the knights, in the hall they waited, that with countless
tapers bright
Was decked, on the walls they sparkled, and burnt with a
steady light,
For a solemn feast they made ready, when the Grail should be
shown to all; 335
For it was not on every feast-day, that they bare It thro'
the hall,
But on high festivals only--When nearer their aid should
draw,
On that even when joy forsook them, and the bleeding spear
they saw,
'Twas then, that the Grail might help them, that It thus
thro' the hall was borne--
Yet Parzival asked no question, and left them of joy
forlorn-- 340
But now, in joy and gladness, might they look on the Grail
again,
For at last was their mourning ended, and their sorrow was
pierced and slain!

When the queen her riding garment had put off, and decked her
hair,
She came in such garb as beseemed her, in the light of the
tapers fair;
And Feirefis stepped to meet her, and he took her by the
hand, 345
And no man gainsaid his fellow, that in this, or in other
land,
None might speak of a fairer woman! And rich was the garb she
wore,
A silk by a skilled hand woven, such as Sarant had wrought of
yore,
And with cunning and skill had fashioned in Thasmé, the
paynim town--
Feirefis Angevin, he led her thro' the palace hall adown, 350
And the three great fires they burnt there with Lignum aloe
sweet;
And more there were by forty, both carpets alike and seats,
Than the time when Parzival sat there and looked on the
wondrous Grail,
But one seat above all was costly, nor the host to his place
should fail.
And Feirefis, and Anfortas, they should sit there beside the
king-- 355
And, courteous, they did them service, who the Grail to the
hall should bring.

Aforetime methinks ye heard it, how they to Anfortas bare
The Grail, even so would they do now 'fore the child of King
Tampentäre,
And Gamuret's son--The maidens, no longer they make delay,
Five-and-twenty in rightful order they wend thro' the hall
their way. 360
And Feirefis gazed on the first maid, with her sweet face and
waving hair,
And she pleased him well, yet the others who followed were
yet more fair;
And costly and rich their garments, and lovely each maiden's
face,
But Répanse de Schoie, who followed, was first in her maiden
grace,
And the Grail, so men have told me, might be borne by her
hands alone; 365
Pure was her heart, and radiant as sunlight her fair face
shone.

Did I tell ye of all the service--how many did water pour,
And the tables they bare, (I wot well far more than they had
of yore,)
How discord fled from the palace; how the cars on their
circuit rolled,
With their freight of golden vessels, 'twere long ere the
tale were told. 370
For the sake of speed would I hasten--with reverence from the
Grail
Each took of the fowl of the forest, wild or tame, nor their
drink should fail;
Each took wine or mead as it pleased him, Claret, Morass, or
Sinopel;
At Pelrapär 'twas far other, as Gamuret's son might tell!

Then the heathen would know the wonder--What hands did these
gold cups fill 375
That stood empty here before him? The wonder, it pleased him
still!
Then answered the fair Anfortas, who sat by the heathen's
side,
'Seest thou not the Grail before thee?' But Feirefis replied,
'Naught I see but a green Achmardi, that my Lady but now did
bear,
I mean her who stands before us with the crown on her flowing
hair, 380
And her look to mine heart hath piercèd--I deemed I so strong
should be
That never a wife nor a maiden my gladness should take from
me;
But now doth it sore displease me, the love I may call mine
own--
Discourteous indeed I think me to make unto thee my moan
When I never have done thee service! What profits my wealth,
I trow, 385
Or the deeds I have done for fair women, or the gifts that I
gave but now,
Since here I must live in anguish! Nay, Jupiter, thou wast
fain
I should ride here, didst hither send me to torment of grief
and pain?'

And the strength of his love, and his sorrow, turned him pale
where he erst was light--
Kondwiramur, she had found a rival in this maiden's beauty
bright-- 390
In her love-meshes did she hold him, Feirefis, the noble
guest,
And the love that he erst had cherished he cast it from out
his breast.
What recked he of Sekundillé, her love, and her land so fair,
Since she wrought on him woe so bitter, this maiden beyond
compare?
Klauditté, and Sekundillé, Olympia, and many more, 395
Who in distant lands had repaid him with love for his deeds
of yore,
What cared he now for their kindness? It seemed but a
worthless thing
To Gamuret's son, the heathen, great Zassamank's noble king!

Then he saw, the fair Anfortas, his comrade in pain so sore,
(For the spots in his skin waxed pallid, and heavy the heart
he bore,) 400
And he spake, 'Sir Knight, it doth grieve me if thou dost for
my sister mourn,
No man for her sake hath sorrowed since the day that the maid
was born.
No knight for her joust hath ridden; to none doth she favour
show;
But with me did she dwell at Monsalväsch, and hath shared in
my bitter woe,
And it somewhat hath dimmed her beauty, since she seldom hath
joyful been-- 405
Thy brother is son to her sister, he may help thee in this I
ween.'

'If that maiden shall be thy sister,' quoth Feirefis Angevin,
'Who the crown on her loose locks weareth, then help me her
love to win.
'Tis she that my heart desireth--What honour mine hand hath
won
With shield and spear in Tourney, for her sake hath it all
been done, 410
And I would she might now reward me! The Tourney hath
fashions five,
And well known unto me is each one, nor against knightly rule
I strive.
Spear in rest 'gainst the foe have I ridden; I have smitten
him from the side;
His onslaught have I avoided; nor to fair joust have failed
to ride
In gallop, as should beseem me; I have followed the flying
foe-- 415
Since the shield, it hath been my safeguard, such sorrow I
ne'er may know
As that which to-day besets me--I have fought with a fiery
knight
At Agremontein, I bare then a shield of Asbestos bright,
And a surcoat of Salamander, else sure had I there been
burned;
And in sooth my life have I perilled, and my fame have I
dearly earned. 420
Ah! would but thy sister send me to battle for love's reward,
In strife would I do her bidding, and her fame and mine own
would guard.
And ever my heart fierce hatred to my god Jupiter shall bear,
If he make not an end of my sorrow, and give me this maiden
fair!'

Of the twain, Frimutel was the father, and therefore Anfortas
bore 425
E'en such face and such form as his sister--Then the heathen,
he looked once more
On the maiden and then on her brother--What they bare him of
drink or meat
No morsel he ate, yet he sat there as one who made feint to
eat.

Then to Parzival spake Anfortas, 'Sir King, it doth seem to
me
That thy brother, who sitteth by me, he faileth the Grail to
see!' 430
And Feirefis spake that he saw naught, nor knew what It was
'the Grail';
And they hearkened his words, the Templars, and a marvel they
deemed the tale.
And Titurel needs must hear it, in his chamber the old king
lay,
And he quoth, 'If he be a heathen, then such thought shall he
put away
As that eyes unbaptized may win them the power to behold the
Grail! 435
Such barriers are built around It, his sight to the task
shall fail.'

Then they bare to the hall these tidings, and the host and
Anfortas told
How that which the folk did nourish, Feirefis, he might ne'er
behold,
Since from heathen eyes It was hidden, and they prayed him to
seek the grace
Of Baptism, by its virtue he should win him in Heaven a
place. 440

'If I, for your sake, be baptizèd, will that help me to win
my love?'
Spake Gamuret's son, the heathen--'As a wind shall all
sorrows prove,
That wooing or war shall have brought me, to the grief that I
now must feel!
If long or short the time be since I first felt the touch of
steel,
And fought 'neath a shield, such anguish ne'er hath fallen
unto my share, 445
And tho' love should, I ween, be hidden, yet my heart would
its grief declare!'

'Of whom dost thou speak?' quoth the Waleis, 'Of none but
that lady bright,
Who is sister to this, thy comrade--If thou, as a faithful
knight,
Wilt help me to win the maiden, I will give her with kingly
hand
Great riches, and men shall hail her as queen over many a
land!' 450
'If to Baptism thou wilt yield thee,' spake the host, 'then
her love is thine,
(And as _thou_ I right well may hail thee, since the Grail
and Its realm are mine,
And our riches methinks are equal)'--Quoth Feirefis Angevin,
'Then help me to bliss, my brother, that the love of thine
aunt I win.
And, if Baptism be won by battle, then help me to strife I
pray, 455
That I, for sweet love's rewarding, may do service without
delay.
And mine ear well doth love the music when the spear-shafts
in splinters break,
And the helmet rings clear 'neath the sword-thrust, and the
war-cry the echo wakes.'

Then Parzival laughed out gaily, and Anfortas, he laughed yet
more,
'Nay, nay,' quoth the host, 'such blessing is no guerdon for
deeds of war. 460
I will give unto thee the maiden, by true Baptism's grace and
power,
But the god and the love of a heathen shalt thou leave in the
self-same hour;
And to-morrow, at early dawning, will I give to thee counsel
true,
Whose fruit shall be seen in the crowning of thy life with a
blessing new!'

Now Anfortas, before his sickness, in many a distant land 465
Had won him fair fame, for Love's sake, by the deeds of his
knightly hand.
And the thoughts of his heart were gentle, and generous he
was and free,
And his right hand had won full often the guerdon of victory;
So they sat in the wondrous presence of the Grail, three
heroes true,
The best of their day, and the bravest that sword-blade in
battle drew. 470

An ye will, they enough had eaten--They, courteous, the
tables bare
From the hall, and as serving-maidens, low bent they, those
maidens fair.
And Feirefis Angevin saw them as forth from the hall they
passed,
And in sorrow and deeper anguish I ween was the hero cast.
And she who his heart held captive, she bare from the hall
the Grail, 475
And leave did they crave of their monarch, nor his will to
their will should fail.

How the queen, herself, she passed hence; how men did their
task begin;
Of the bedding soft they brought him who for love's pain no
rest might win;
How one and all, the Templars, with kindness would put away
His grief, 'twere too long to tell ye--speak we now of the
dawning day. 480

In the light of the early morning came his brother, Parzival,
With the noble knight Anfortas, and in this wise the tale
they tell;
This knight who to love was captive, proud Zassamank's lord
and king,
They prayed, of true heart, to follow, and they would to the
Temple bring,
And before the Grail they led him--And there had they bidden
stand 485
The wisest men of the Templars--knights and servants, a
goodly band,
Were there ere the heathen entered: the Font was a ruby rare,
And it stood on a rounded pillar that of Jasper was fashioned
fair,
And of old Titurel, he gave it, and the cost was great I
ween--
Then Parzival spake to his brother, 'This maid wouldst thou
have for queen, 490
Then the gods thou hast served henceforward thou shalt for
her sake forswear,
And ever thine arms, as a true knight, 'gainst the foes of
the true God bear,
And, faithful, still do His bidding'--'Yea, aught that may
win my love,'
Quoth the heathen, 'I'll do right gladly, and my deeds shall
my truth approve.'
Now the Font, toward the Grail had they turned it, filled
with water, nor hot nor cold, 495
And a priest by its side did wait them, and grey-haired he
was, and old;
He had plunged 'neath baptismal waters full many a paynim
child,
And he spake to the noble heathen, and gentle his speech and
mild--
'If thy soul thou wouldst wrest from the Devil, thou shalt
serve Him who reigns on high,
And Threefold is He, yet but One God for aye is the Trinity. 500
God is Man, and the Word of His Father, God is Father at once
and Son,
And alike shall the twain be honoured, and the Spirit with
them is One!
In the Threefold Name shall it cleanse thee, this water, with
Threefold might,
And from shadow of heathen darkness shalt thou pass into
Christian light.
In water was He baptizèd, in Whose likeness was Adam made, 505
And each tree from the water draweth its sap, and its leafy
shade.
By water all flesh is nourished, and all that on earth doth
live,
And the eyes of man are quickened, such virtue doth water
give;
And many a soul it cleanseth, till it shineth so pure and
white
That the angels themselves in heaven methinks shall be scarce
so bright!' 510

To the priest then he spake, the heathen, 'If it bringeth me
ease for woe
I will swear whatsoe'er thou biddest--If reward in her love I
know,
Then gladly I'll do His bidding--Yea, brother, I here believe
In the God of my love, and for her sake all other gods I'll
leave,
(For such sorrow as she hath brought me I never have known
before,) 515
And it profiteth naught Sekundillé the love that to me she
bore,
And the honour that she hath done me--All that shall have
passed away--
In the Name of the God of my father would I fain be baptized
to-day!'

Then the priest laid his hands upon him, and the blessing
baptismal gave,
And he did on the chrisom vesture, and he won what his soul
did crave, 520
For e'en as he was baptizèd they made ready the maiden mild,
And for christening gift they gave him King Frimutel's lovely
child.

From his eyes had the Grail been hidden ere baptismal waters
bright
Had passed o'er his head, but henceforward, 'twas unveiled to
his wondering sight,
And, e'en as the rite was over, on the Grail they this
writing read; 525
'The Templar whom God henceforward to a strange folk should
send as head,
Must forbid all word or question of his country, or name, or
race,
If they willed he aright should help them, and they would in
his sight find grace.
For the day that they ask the question that folk must he
leave straightway'--
Since the time that their king, Anfortas, so long in his
anguish lay, 530
And the question o'er-long awaited, all questions but please
them ill,
The knights of the Grail, and no man doth question them with
their will.

Then, baptized, Feirefis the Christian to Anfortas made
urgent prayer,
He should ride with him to his kingdom, and his riches with
him should share;
But, with courtesy, Anfortas to the knight and his prayer
said 'Nay, 535
Naught shall hinder the willing service that to God I would
give alway;
'Tis a goodly crown, the Grail crown, thro' pride was it lost
to me,
Henceforth do I choose as my portion a life of humility,
And riches and love of women shall be strangers unto my
heart--
Thou leadest with thee a fair wife, henceforth shall it be
her part 540
With true love to reward thy service, as to women is fit and
fair,
But I for the love of mine Order henceforward mine arms will
bear;
For the Grail and Its service only I many a joust will ride,
But I fight never more for women--thro' a woman did ill
betide!
Yet no hatred I bear to women, high courage and joy they give 545
Unto men, tho' _I_ won but sorrow while I did in their
service live.'

But yet, for the sake of his sister, Feirefis rested not to
pray
That Anfortas should journey with them, but ever he said them
nay.
Then he prayed Lohengrin should fare with him, but the
mother, she willed it not;
And King Parzival spake, 'In the service of the Grail hath he
part and lot, 550
And my son, he is pledged to the Order, and a faithful heart
and true
Must he bear in the holy service--God grant him the will
thereto!'

Then in joy and in fair diversion, till eleven days were
o'er,
Feirefis abode at Monsalväsch, on the twelfth would he ride
once-more,
He would lead his wife, this rich man, to his army that yet
did wait 555
His coming, and Parzival sorrowed for the brother he won so
late,
And mourned sore when he heard the tidings--Then counsel he
took straightway,
And a goodly force of the Templars did he send with them on
their way,
Thro' the woodland paths should they guide them--Anfortas,
the gallant knight,
Himself fain would be their escort--sore wept many maidens
bright. 560

And new pathways they needs must cut them to Karkobra's city
fair--
Then Anfortas, he sent a message to him who was Burg-grave
there;
And he bade him, if aye of aforetime rich gifts from his hand
he won
To bethink him, that so this service of true heart by him be
done;
His brother-in-law with his lady, the king's sister, he now
must guide 565
Thro' the wood Loehprisein, where the haven afar lieth wild
and wide--
For now 'twas the hour of parting, nor further the knights
must fare,
But Anfortas, he spake to Kondrie, and he bade her the
message bear.
Then from Feirefis, the rich man, the Templars leave did
pray,
And the courteous knight and noble rode hence on his homeward
way. 570

And the Burg-grave no whit delayed him, but he did e'en at
Kondrie's word,
And gave welcome fair and knightly to the folk and their
noble lord.
Nor might Feirefis grow weary of his stay, at the dawn of
day,
With many a knight as escort, they guided him on his way.
But I know not how far he had ridden, nor the countries his
eyes had seen 575
Ere he came once more to Ioflanz, and its meadow, so fair and
green.

And some of the folk yet abode there--and Feirefis fain had
known,
In the self-same hour, the tidings of whither the host had
flown;
For each one had sought his country, and the road that full
well he knew--
King Arthur to Camelot journeyed with many a hero true-- 580
Then he of Tribalibot hastened, and his army he sought once
more,
For his ships lay yet in the haven, and they grieved for
their lord full sore
And his coming brought joy and courage to many a hero bold--
The Burg-grave and his knights from Karkobra he rewarded with
gifts and gold--
And strange news did they tell unto Kondrie, for messengers
sought the host, 585
Sekundillé was dead; with the tidings they many a sea had
crossed.
Then first in her distant journey did Répanse de Schoie find
joy,
And in India's realm hereafter did she bear to the king a
boy;
And _Prester John_ they called him, and he won to himself
such fame
That henceforward all kings of his country were known by no
other name. 590
And Feirefis sent a writing thro' the kingdoms whose crown he
bore,
And the Christian Faith was honoured as it never had been of
yore.
(And Tribalibot was that country which as _India_ here we
know.)
Then Feirefis spake to Kondrie, and he bade her his brother
show
(Who reigneth in far Monsalväsch) what had chanced unto him,
the king, 595
And the death of Queen Sekundillé--and the tidings the maid
did bring;
And Anfortas was glad and joyful to think that his sister
fair,
Without or strife or conflict, the crown of those lands might
bear.

Now aright have ye heard the story of the children of
Frimutel,
Five they were, and three are living, and death unto two
befell. 600
And the one was Schoysiané, who was pure in the sight of God,
And the other was Herzeleide, and falsehood her soul
abhorred;
And the sword and the life of knighthood, Trevrezent, he had
laid them down
For the love of God, and His service, and the hope of a
deathless crown.
And the gallant knight, Anfortas, pure heart and strong hand
he bore, 605
And well for the Grail he jousted, but for women he fought no
more.
And Lohengrin grew to manhood, and cowardice from him flew,
And his heart yearned for deeds of knighthood, to the Grail
he did service true.

Would ye further hear the story? A maiden, in days of yore,
Whose heart was free from falsehood, the crown of a fair land
bore-- 610
Her heirdom was rich and noble, and lowly and pure her heart,
And no taint of earthly longing had found in her soul a part.
And wooers she had in plenty, of crownèd kings, I ween,
And princes, whose race and kingdom fit mate for her own had
been.
Yet so humble she was, the maiden, she thought not of earthly
love-- 615
And the counts of her realm waxed wrathful, since no pleading
her soul could move,
And their anger raged hot against her that she gave not her
maiden hand
To one who should be fit ruler o'er her folk, and her goodly
land.
In God was her trust, whatever men might in their anger
speak,
And guiltless, she bare the vengeance her folk on her head
would wreak. 620
But she called of her land the princes, and they journeyed
from far and near,
From many a distant country, the will of their queen to hear.
And she sware she would have no husband, and no man as her
lord would own
Save him whom God's Hand should send her, his love would she
wait alone.

Of the land of Brabant was she princess--From Monsalväsch he
came, the knight 625
Whom God at His will should send her, and his guide was a
swan so white.
He set foot in her land at Antwerp, and she knew that her
heart spake true,
And gallant was he to look on, and all men the hero knew
For a noble knight and manly, and his face, it was wondrous
fair,
And his fame was in every kingdom where men did his deeds
declare. 630
And a wise man he was, free-handed, with never a doubting
heart,
And faithful and true, and falsehood it found in his life no
part.

A fair welcome the princess gave him--now list ye unto his
rede,
Rich and poor stood there around him, and they gave to his
words good heed,
And he spake thus, 'My Lady Duchess, if thou wilt not mine
hand refuse, 635
But wilt have me for lord and husband, for thy sake I a
kingdom lose--
But hearken to what I pray thee, ask thou never who I may be,
And seek not to know my country, for so may I abide with
thee.
In the day thou dost ask the question of my love shalt thou
be bereft--
Take thou warning, lest God recall me to the land which
erewhile I left.' 640
Then she pledged her faith as a woman that her love, it
should ne'er wax less,
She would do e'en as he should bid her, and never his will
transgress
So long as God wit should give her--Her love did he win that
night,
And Lord of Brabant and its Duchess they hailed him with
morning light.

And the marriage feast was costly, and many a knight the land 645
That of right should be his, as vassal, must take from his
princely hand.
For he gave ever righteous judgment, and many a gallant deed
Of knighthood he did, and, valiant, he won of fair fame his
meed.
Fair children were born unto them--The folk of Brabant yet
know
Of the twain, how he came unto them, and wherefore he thence
must go, 650
And how long he dwelt among them ere her question broke the
spell,
And drove him forth, unwilling, for so shall the story tell.
The friendly swan, it sought him, and a little boat did
bring,
And he sailed thence, and left as tokens his sword, and his
horn, and ring.
So _Lohengrin_ passed from among them, for in sooth this
gallant knight 655
Was Parzival's son, and none other, if the tale ye would know
aright.
By water-ways he sought it, the home of the Grail, again--
And what of the lovely duchess who longed for her lord in
vain?
Why drove she hence her true love? since he bade her be
warned of yore,
And forbade her to ask the question when he landed on
Brabant's shore-- 660
Here Herr Erec should speak, for, I think me, he knoweth the
tale to tell
Of revenging for broken pledges, and the fate that such
speech befell!

If Chrêtien of Troyes, the master, hath done to this tale a
wrong,
Then _Kiot_ may well be wrathful, for he taught us aright the
song,
To the end the Provençal told it--How Herzeleide's son the
Grail 665
Did win, as was fore-ordainèd when Anfortas thereto did fail.
And thus, from Provence, the story to the German land was
brought,
And aright was it told, and the story doth lack in its ending
naught.
I, Wolfram of Eschenbach, think me that here-of will I speak
no more--
Of Parzival's race, and his kindred, of that have I told
afore; 670
To the goal of his bliss have I brought him--he whose life
such an end shall gain,
That his soul doth not forfeit Heaven for sins that his flesh
shall stain,
And yet, as true man and worthy, the world's favour and grace
doth keep
Hath done well, nor hath lost his labour, nor his fame shall
hereafter sleep!
And if good and gracious women shall think I be worthy
praise, 675
Since I tell to its end my story, then joyful shall be my
days.
And since for the love of a woman I have sung it, this song
of old,
I would that, in sweet words gentle, my guerdon by her be
told!

APPENDICES

EXCURSUS A

WOLFRAM'S SOURCE